A YEAR ago at this time, Robinson Cano wore No. 72 and Chien Ming-Wang wore No. 76, and both practiced in what could be considered baseball’s witness protection plan – the back diamonds at Legends Field where selected minor leaguers and veteran journeymen dabble in proximity, but anonymity to the collection of stars that comprise the New York Yankees.
That was then, this is now. These days Cano and Wang are integral pieces of the Yankees – Nos. 22 and 40, respectively, if you care – and the Yanks are working to change organizational culture, in part, based on their rookie successes. The Yanks have rededicated to build up a farm system that has been atrocious. To that end, they made no trades involving top prospects in the offseason, lost a draft pick only for Johnny Damon (but got a better one when Tom Gordon signed with Philadelphia) and are pleased about one part of the World Baseball Classic, that it will give more top farmhands chances to soak up major league camp while players such as Damon, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are away.
The Yanks know they have miles to go as they try to repopulate their system with athletic position players and tall, hard throwers. However, here are five players to watch for now:
MOST PROMISING
Philip Hughes – Finally a Yankee pitching prospect other teams project as a top-of-the-rotation starter. Yankee minor league head Mark Newman calls Hughes the Yanks’ “best pitching prospect since Andy Pettitte.” The excitement is about his ability to pinpoint 92-94 mph fastballs and his poise at age 19. “If he stays healthy and we don’t screw him up, he will come fast,” Yankee minor league pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras said. Can he stay healthy? Hughes has had injuries end each of his two pro seasons. Can he get through a whole Double-A season and continue to thrive?
MOST INTRIGUING
Jose Tabata – He was born Aug. 12, 1988, displayed five tools plus strike-zone discretion last year in the New York-Penn League and now will likely be the youngest player in the Sally League. The righty-hitting center fielder has Yankee officials ga-ga. One compared his bat potential to Manny Ramirez. Along with last year’s draftees, C.J. Henry and Austin Jackson, he defines the Yanks’ quest to get more athletic in their system.
MOST INTERESTING
Matt DeSalvo – One scout called DeSalvo a “poor man’s David Cone,” citing the righty’s small stature and heightened competitiveness. With a good moving fastball, fine changeup and deception in his motion, DeSalvo will start in Columbus and has a chance to pitch in the back of an MLB rotation. But that is not what is most interesting about him. While in the Florida State League two years ago, DeSalvo decided he could better understand a wilting romance and himself if he put his thoughts into a novel and he wrote “Love Travels,” which remains on computer disc. He majored in environmental sciences and reads “Ideas of the Great Philosophers” while the clubhouse buzzes around him. I don’t know about the Yankees, but those of us who cover baseball need Matt DeSalvo to make it.
MOST PRESSURE
Eric Duncan – Followed a poor Double-A season with an MVP effort in the Arizona Fall League. Still just 21, yet this is a vital season because he is moving from being an error-prone third baseman to first base, is playing at Triple-A and is being asked again to drive the ball to all fields with a sweet lefty swing that the Yanks believe can generate big-time power. Also would fall into the category of most likely to be traded on July 31 to fill a need.
MOST LIKELY TO BE
PROMOTED THIS YEAR
Matt Smith – Some folks in the organization wanted him up late last year, claiming he was a better lefty relief option than Alan Embree or Wayne Franklin. He is initially blocked this year after the acquisitions of Mike Myers and Ron Villone, and the lurking presence of Al Leiter. The Yanks believe his combo of low-90s fastball and very strong slider makes him capable of retiring more than lefties, who were just 15-for-92 with no homers off him last year.
DOWN THE LINE
No-shows could conquer World
It turns out the defection problem in the World Baseball Classic is not being posed by the Cuban team. It is just about every other nation in the 16-country tournament. In fact, the best team is the one comprised of those who have backed out from participating or were never asked (usually because the answer was known beforehand):
C – Jorge Posada, Joe Mauer. 1B – Lance Berkman, Nomar Garciaparra. 2B – Tadahito Iguchi, Jose Vidro. SS – Jimmy Rollins. 3B – Eric Chavez and maybe Aramis Ramirez, who rumor has it will not play. OF – Barry Bonds, Carl Crawford, Hideki Matsui, Manny Ramirez, Vernon Wells. Starters -Tim Hudson, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Ben Sheets, John Smoltz. Closers – Mariano Rivera, Francisco Rodriguez.
One person who so badly wants into the WBC and has yet to be invited (but has a lot of pull at the Players Association) is Al Leiter. And the way folks are dropping out, I now wouldn’t be surprised if we have a U.S. vs. Dominican final and the starting pitchers are Al Leiter vs. Danny Almonte.
Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised now if the most motivated team and the one that already is in the midst of its season does well in the tourney. That would be Cuba.
The Red Sox lost another front office cog when the venerable Bill Lajoie, who served as perhaps the most trusted scouting eyes in the organization, first retired and then agreed to take a consulting job with the Dodgers. He said by phone “no controversy here.” Lajoie said Boston was not in as much need of his expertise any more and the Dodgers were more so.
One of the most intriguing stories of spring is the attempt by Rick Ankiel to make the Cardinals as an outfielder. Ankiel was the stud lefty pitcher whose promising mound career died in a Knoblauch-esque inability to throw strikes. He hit 21 homers between Single- and Double-A last season. GM Walt Jocketty said “ideally” Triple-A would be the best destination for Ankiel to hone his skills. But he is out of options and the Cards are examining him for their roster, Jocketty said, because he has power, athleticism and an arm that is “strong and accurate.” Jocketty added, “It is a great human interest story, a great baseball story.”
Boston cannot find a team that will take all of Ramirez’s contract. Sammy Sosa, a faded big name, can’t find anyone to give him big money. I have the organization that would satisfy both: The New York Knicks.